Meet The Team

Susan has a BSEE and an MBA and worked in high tech industries for over 20 years in the areas of research and development, product management, manufacturing, marketing, and strategic planning. She was a founder of MindPeace as a volunteer of the Junior League of Cincinnati (JLC) and under Susan’s leadership, MindPeace has earned numerous awards and national recognition.

Nicole has a Master of Education Administration and is a nationally board certified Pediatric Occupational Therapist. She started her career in outpatient psychiatry and adult rehabilitation before moving into school-based practice, working with students with psychosocial and neurodevelopmental disorders. She previously served Mason City Schools for 19 years in a variety of roles, both as a therapist and a district administrator overseeing mental health programming, homelessness, discipline, and attendance. As the Director of School Based Mental Health Systems at MindPeace, Nicole is responsible for facilitating the interdisciplinary collaboration between the clinical and educational sectors in designing a system of care that addresses the needs of the whole child.

Elana has a BA in Communication with a minor in Psychology, and a Master of Public Health degree. Elana has spent her career working in the non-profit industry. Elana began her position at MindPeace in 2015 and helps to implement quality improvement efforts in areas of suicide prevention, data analysis, transitions in care, trauma-sensitive learning, MindPeace Rooms, and technological advancements. Elana also supervises the internship staff.

Tina is retired from Cincinnati Public Schools where she served as a principal and leadership coach. She’s also taught for the Cincinnati Archdiocese, been the Director of The Children’s Home School, worked for Lighthouse Youth Services, and was an adjunct faculty member at three local colleges. She received her Ed.D. in Educational Administration and a BA in Psychology/Philosophy. Tina started her journey with MindPeace as a Board Member before moving into her current position.

Christy holds a BA in Education with a special emphasis in Business and Communications. Over the past 25 years, Christy has held leadership roles within the fields of communications, education, and non-profit management. More recently, she’s served as a Strategic Consultant for a number of local non-profit agencies specializing in parenting education, suicide prevention, and grief support. As Program Manager at MindPeace, Christy partners with school and agency teams to develop systemic solutions, connecting children and teens with critical brain health prevention, intervention and treatment.

Jessica has a Master in Social Work and is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in Ohio and Florida. She has been licensed since 2008 and started working with adolescents in 2005. Jessica has also completed CAPP, a two year post graduate training program from the Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Center that focuses on normal and abnormal childhood and adolescent development.  At MindPeace, Jessica helps manage mental health partnerships in the school with a goal of reducing barriers to care.

Carissa received a BA in Psychology with a minor in criminal justice, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in social work. Carissa began at MindPeace in 2022 as an intern, and has since joined the team to help directly connect families with care in the community.